Method of adhering metal to a glass base



Jan. 29, 1963 F. VERES 3,075,850 v METHOD oF ADHERING METAL To A GLASS BASE I Filed Aug. 12, 1958 J4 AAAAAAA i u illllllmllllllllmlllllUlllll midi-JM A mmumlum mnuummunggl lNVEwRS BYMTW ATTORNEYS 3,075,860 Patented Jan. 29, 1963 3,075,860 METHOD OF ADEERENG METAL TO A GLASS BASE Frank Verres, Toiedo, Ohio, assigner to Owens-Illinois Glass Company, a corporation of Ohio Filed Aug. l2, 1958, Ser. No. '754,666 '7 Claims. (Cl. U17-211) The present invention relates to a method of adhering metal to a glass base, and more particularly to a method of making printed electric circuits utilizing a glass base.

In the manufacture of printed electrical circuits for electronic components, such as television, radar, and the like, it has been proposed that a conductive coating, essentially metallic in nature such as silver, gold, platinum, or the like, be applied in a predetermined path directly to a glass base. The composite structure comprising the glass base and the metallic circuit applied thereto is then heated to a temperature above the fiber softening point of the glass base to effect adherence between and adequate bonding of the two materials. While printed circuits have been made in this manner, warping and/ or viscous deformation of the base are encountered due to the firing or heating the composite structure to the high temperatures necessary to obtain adequate bonding of the metal to the glass. Additionally, if the glass base is not cooled slowly, permanent strain will be introduced into the glass. Should the firing be stopped short of the ber softening point, warping and deformation do not occur, but the adherence of the metal to the glass is so poor as to render the composite structure useless. It has been found that good metal-glass adherence requires temperatures on the order of ll50 F. or higher.

It has now been determined that printed circuits can be manufactured by applying to the glass base a devitriiiable glass composition, applying to the devitriliable glass composition the conductive material, and then heating the laminated composite structure, including the glass base, the devitrifiable glass composition, and the conductive material, to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of the devitrifiable glass composition but less than the annealing point of the base glass. In this manner', warping, deformation, and other distortion of the base glass is avoided, while an extremely adherent bond is obtained between the devitrifiable glass composition and the metal and between the devitriliable glass composition and the base glass.

The general method above described can be carried out by several different series of manipulative steps. One preferred series of manipulative steps involves the application to the base material of the devitriable glass composition in a pattern conforming to the linally desired printed circuit, the application of a complete layer of metal to both the devitriiiable glass composition pattern and to those portions of the base glass exposed intermediate the pattern, the firing or heating of the resultant structure to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of the devitrifiable glass composition, and the subsequent physical removal of those portions of the metal layer not adhered to the base glass composition. v

One other series of manipulative steps to carry out the general method may involve the printing of the devitrifiablc glass composition in a desired pattern, and the subsequent printing thereon of the desired metallic material. After such printing, it is merely necessary to heat the resultant structure to the tiring temperature determined by the softening point of the devitriable glass composition.

One other method involves the application of a unifor-m layer of devitriable composition so as to completely cover the exposed surface of the base glass, followed by the application thereto of the conductive material in the desired pattern, followed by the firing of the devitriiiable material only. v

It is, therefore, an important object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method for making a printed electric circuit on a ceramic base.

It is another important object of this invention to provide a method for the application of a metallic printed circuit to a base glass through the medium of a devitriable glass composition interposed between the base glass and the metallic circuit-forming material.

It is a further important object of this invention to provide a new and novel method for the formation of a printed electric circuit on a glass base by the application to the base glass of a devitriable glass composition, followed by the application to the devitriable glass composition of the metallic circuit-defining material, and subsequently heating the resultant laminated structure to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of the devitrifiable glass composition but substantially below the annealing point of the base glass composition.

It is yet another object to provide a method of making a printed circuit or the like wherein a predetermined pattern of conductive material is applied to a base glass through the medium of a devitrifable glass composition interposed between the conductive material and the base glass and effective, upon heating of the composite structure to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of the devitriliable glass composition only, to bind the conductive material to the base glass.

`Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, in which:

`On the drawings:

FIGURE l is a diagrammatic view illustrating, in

section, a printed circuit of the present invention as applied to a ceramic or base glass;

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE l illustrating a ystep in one process of the present invention wherein a conductive layer encompasses the entire exposed surface of the base glass and a. devitrifiable glass composition applied thereto;

FIGURE 3 is a further step inthe process also illusttrated in FIGURE 2 wherein those portions of the metallic layer not adhering to the devitriiiable glass composition are removed by the use of a brush or the like;

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE l illustrating a printed circuit obtained by another method of the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURES l and 4 illustrating yet another printed circuit obtained by a different method of the present invention.

As shown on the drawings:

In FIGURE l, reference numeral lil refers generally to a printed circuit assembly including a base Il formed 3 of a suitable base glass composition and reference numeral 12 refers generally to a suitable devitrifiable glass composition utilized to bond to the base 11 the actual circuit-defining metallic pattern 13.

Suitable glass compositions for forming the base 11 include the following:

The above listed compositions are particularly suited for forming the glass base, inasmuchas they have the necessary properties of physical strength, chemical durability and resistance to devitrication. Secondly, the ber softening points of composition such as those set forth in Table I generally range upwards of 600 C., and the Vannealing points are generally in excess of 430 C.

For forming the intermediate layer 12,y the following devitriiable glass compositions are suitable.

A. `Aclditircrmal compositions which may be utilized for the .devitri-able glass compositions are as follows:

TABLE III Total. 100. (l0 100. 00 100. 00 r100. 00 `100. 00

Generically, the devitrifable glass compositions vmay comprise the following approximate ranges of `'basic ingre- Y It will be noted that the sum of lead oxide, zinc oxide, gboron oxide and Ysilica oxide isin excess of 90% and in the majority of the compositions exceeds 93 (see lTables VII `and III). lThese compositions have ber softening Vpoint temperatures in the range of from 330 to 400 C.,

and thermal expansion coetiicients which yare compatible with the coefficients of the base glass materials set forth in Table I. Y

The metallic layer 13 is preferably .a goed conductor 4 of electric current, having a melting point in excess of the liber softening point of the devitrifiable glass composition 12. Thus, suitable materials include silver, gold, paladium, and platinum.

So far as the manipulative steps of the method of the present invention are concerned, three distinct series of manipulative steps may be carried out, but in each instance certain generic method or process steps are present. First, there is hereinafter set forth the three specific series ;of manipulative steps followed by consideration of the generic method steps.

Method I IFirst, the base 11 lis formed of a suitable base glass composition and is formed, shaped, or cut to the desired size and shape. A suitable composition for the base 11 may be as follows:

Percent SiO -t 56.6 A1203 15 BaO l0 Na20 3 KZO 10 PbO 18.9

Total 100.00

This composition'has a'ber softening point of 662 C.,

an'annealing point of 457 C., and la strain point of There ris to be applied Vto the base glass -a devitriable glass composition corresponding to composition I of Table 1I having'a liber softening point of 359 C., well below theliber softening point, Vthe annealing point, and the strain pointof the base glass composition.

Next, the devitriable glass composition is applied to the base 11 in the desired pattern, as illustrated in FIG- URE'2 of the drawings. The application of the devitrifiable glass vcomposition 12 to the base 11 maybe carried -out in any 'desired manner, `als for example by sprinkling the powdered devitrifiable glass composition upon the `base glass in the desired pattern, or by painting a suspen sion of the devlitritiable-glass composition thereon in auid carrier which is volatilized as fairly low temperatures. Alternatively, the pattern may be applied by xerography techniques. i

After the powdered devitriable glass composition has been applied to the ybase 11, a uniform coating of the `metallic material 13 is applied uniformly to the com-po- .the ber softening point of the devitriable material. The ytemperature at which the firing takes place is greater than the fiber softening point of the devitriiiable material but less than the annealing point of thebase composition 11.

vIreferably, the firing temperature s less than the annealmg point of the .base composition and below the range of the strain point of the base composition. In the specific example, a tiring temperature of 400 C. is utilized.

Following thetring of the composition, the composite structure Iis treated to remove from the base composition those portions 14 of the .metallic layer which are not bonded to the base glass.

As illustrated in FIGURE 3 ofthe drawings, Athis removal can be effected through the medium of a brush .20 secured to a rotatable .shaft 21 and rotatable by suit- ,able means, as by adriving belt 22. During the firing of the devitriiiable composition 12, the devitriiiable composition becomes bonded to both the metallic layer 13 and the base 11. Inasmuch as the softening point of the base 11 has not been attained, there is no bonding between the metallic portions 14 and the base 11 and therefore, these portions are readily removed by the brushmg.

Method II As best illustrated in FIGURE 4, a second method of the present invention comprises the deposition upon the base composition 11 of the devitriiable composition 12 and then the application, as by an offset printing roll or the like, of a metallic layer 13 to only those devitrifiable portions 12 superimposed upon the base 11. Once again, the composite article is heated to a tiring temperature in excess of the ber softening point of the devitritiable material and an adequate bond is obtained between the devitriable material 12 and the base 11 on the one hand and between the devitrifiable material 12 and the metallic layer 13 on the other hand.

Method III As indicated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings, a third method involves the manipulative steps of applying a uniform coating 12 of the devitriiiable material so as to completely cover the exposed surface above the base composition 11 followed by the printing thereon of the metallic portions 13 only. Upon tiring of the composite article of FIGURE 5, the devitri-iiable material will become integrated with the base composition 11 throughout the entire exposed surface thereof, and the metallic portions '13 shall become integrated with the devitriable layer 12 so that the desired iinished composite article is obtained.

The Generic Method Now that the three specific manipulative methods have been heretofore described, it will be readily appreciated that each of these three methods have in common certain generic steps which in and of themselves provide a new and novel method.

For example, in each of the three methods heretofore explained, a devitriiiable glass composition is initially applied to a base glass composition.

The devitriiiable glass composition preferably consists essentially of 70-80% PbO, 7-l4% ZnO, 7-l0% B203, 1-3% SiOZ, 0-8% BaO and 0-8% CuO, the sum of the PbO, ZnO, B203, and SiO2 for any given composition being in excess of 90%.

Further, the devitriable glass composition possesses certain physical characteristics with respect to the base composition, namely a relatively low liber softening point, preferably of the order of from 330 to 400 C., well below the annealing points of the base compositions and preferably below the strain points of the base compositions.

Manipulatively, the method next involves the application to the devitrifiable glass composition of a conductive material. This conductive material is preferably metallic and has a melting point in excess of the fiber softening point of the devitriable glass composition.

Finally, the laminated structure comprising the base glass, the devitriiable glass composition, and the conductive material is heated to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of the composition but less than the ber softening point of the base glass. This specific, functionally dened temperature range is essential to promote an adequate bond between the devitrifiable glass composition and the base glass and between the devitriable glass composition and the conductive material, while at the same time preventing deformation of the base glass composition.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of making a printed circuit or the like wherein a predetermined pattern of particulate conduc- Percent PbO 7080 ZnO 7-14 B203 7-10 1 3 BaO 0-8 CuO 0-8 and the sum of the iirst four listed constitutents is greater than said percentage being by weight of the total composition.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said temperature is from 330 C. to 400 C.

4. A method of making a printed circuit or the like wherein a predetermined pattern of particulate conductive metallic material is applied to a glass base, consisting of the steps of initially applying to the glass base a devitriable glass composition in said predetermined pattern, applying an uninterrupted layer of the particulate conduct-ive metallic material to said composition and the gla-ss base, heating the resultant laminated structure to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of said composition, but less than the annealing point of said glass base, and removing those portions of said particulate conductive metallic material layer contacting said glass base.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said devitriiiable glass composition consists essentially of and the sum of the first four listed constituents is greater than 90% said percentage being by weight of the total composition.

6. A method of making a printed circuit or the like wherein a predetermined pattern of particulate conductive metallic material is applied to a glass base, consisting of the steps of initially applying to the glass base a covering layer of devitriiiable glass composition, applying to said composition layer a predetermined pattern of the particulate conductive metallic material, and heating the resultant laminated structure to a temperature in excess of the ber softening point of said composition, but less than the annealing point of said glass base.

7. A method of making a printed circuit or the like wherein a predetermined pattern of particulate conductive metallic material is applied to a glass base, consisting of the steps of initially applying to the glass base a predetermined pattern of devitrifiable glass composition, applying the particulate conductive metallic material to said composition pattern only, and heating the resultant laminated structure to a temperature in excess of the fiber softening point of said composition, but less than the annealing point of said glass base.

Mulder Aug. 13, 1933 Kerridge et al. Sept. 9, 1952 (Other references on following page) 7 Dovey et a1. f-..r l v.v.r Oct. 28, 19,52 Velonis ----22 Feb. 1, 1955 Velonis v Dec. 8, 1959 Kegg et al. s Aug. 30, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 7 VJune 28, 1947 

1. A METHOD OF MAKING A PRINTED CIRCUIT OR THE LIKE WHEREIN A PREDETERMINED PATTERN OF PARTICULATE CONDUCTIVE METALLIC MATERIAL IS APPLIED TO A GLASS BASE CONSISTING OF THE STEPS OF INITIALLY APPLYING TO THE GLASS BASE A DEVITRIFIABLE GLASS COMPOSITION, APPLYING THE PARTICULATE CONDUCTIVE METALLIC MATERIAL TO SAID COMPOSITION, AND HEATING THE RESULTANT LAMINATED STRUCTURE TO A TEMPERATURE IN EXCESS OF THE FIBER SOFTENING POINT OF SAID COMPOSITION, BUT LESS THAN THE ANNEALING POINT OF SAID GLASS BASE. 